What to use in feeders? ~how much$?

[Powerstroke]

My friend and I built some feeders that we plan on putting around his land. They are mad eof PVC and are about 4" in diameter. The place where I got the idea, the guys used corn.

Are there other things you would put in a feeder for deer besides corn? Where would a city boy find corn and about how much can I expect to pay? Any other ideas.

[Quackaddict9]

apples? sugar beets? worked for me along with corn.

[monstermoose78]

soybeans pack some protein the deer need acorns if you can get them sunflower seeds. Something with fat and oils corn is more of a filler.

[FL SNIPER]

Fleet Farm has corn I believe. I pick up whole corn at the local feed mill in Forest Lake called Houles...its about $3 for a 50# bag.

[Mark Christianson]

Gotta go to a feed mill/elevator to buy corn or whatever.

Anything bagged and labeled(like the stuff at Fleet) you are going to pay way more for.

Better yet, call an elevator and ask if you can buy it bulk.

One elevator near our place will sell us corn right out of the storage bins and dump it in our pickup at pennies over the going market rate. Now thats cheap!

Of course you have to find a place to store it, but if you can pull it off, thats the way to go.

[harvey lee]

As stated above,sugar beets work very well.Another food that deer will go nuts for is carrots.I usually use corn,beets,carrots and that will keep them around for some time.They will also eat oats.

[zumbromuskie]

How did you make the feeders? Can you share instructions? Sounds interesting, and I've been planiing to do the same this year.

[Powerstroke]

We used PVC pipe. The general use PVC is pretty thick and therefore more expensive so we used the PVC made for sewer use. It is much thinner, but still good enough for our uses.

Each feeder is 5-6' tall with an angled pipe on the bottom for the deer to place their head in. PUt a cap on the top and a vent on the bottom (for water to drain) and you're set. PVC cement the entire thing together except for the cap, so you can refill it. I'll try to get some pics for everyone. They aren't painted yet but they will be soon.

I love DIY projects since I'm handy and not very rich....or at all for that matter.

[BLACKJACK]

powerstroke, how big of a pvc pipe did you use? I'm having a hard time visualizing this...

As far as what to feed, I'd recommend shelled corn. Its cheap and easily accessable all year around and deer love it. I have several deer cams out and have experiemented with salt and minerals and molasses to attract them in and the best by far is corn. Once a week when I pull my memory chip, I just dump a gallon of corn out and it keeps the deer coming. Just make sure you stop 10 days before hunting season.

[Curly]

Could you post a picture of one of the feeders?

[Powerstroke]

I will try to get a picture tonight. They are in my buddy's garage since I live in an Apt. They are a pretty clever design and hardly noticeable when painted.

I believe the PVC was 5-6".

[marine_man]

Did you get those pictures Powerstroke? I'm interested in seeing them...

Thanks!

marine_man

[Powerstroke]

I've been a big procrastinator since I've been out turkey hunting but I'm going for dinner there tonight so I will snap the pics myself.

[chucker34]

Hey powerstroke. Great idea. I did a search on the internet and found all sorts of plans/photos. Another idea someone had was to cut the bottom of the pipe at a 45 degree angle so it could stick into the ground leaving just a little opening so the corn could spill out as gravity took its course. I think I may try this. What type of paint did you use? I've never painted plastic before and wondering it I should look for anything special. Just assuming your basic camo or earth toned spray paint would work.

[Woodsy]

Powerstroke do you have any pictures for us yet, would sure like to see your idea. In order to get any paint to stick I would think you will have to sand the PVC to roughen the surface then prime and paint.

[Powerstroke]

I made the feeders from 6" PVC

1 - 6" tube of the length of your choice

1 - removable cap (female) for the top

1 - angled tee

1 - bottom (male) plug

Just put it together as you see. This bottom plug has holes drilled through out for drainage but I used one with slotted vents cause it was cheaper. Cemented it all with PVC cement and painted. This is a quick easy project.

I set it up a little off the ground also so it drains. I prop it on a small rock and strap it with bungees and done. I haven't painted mine yet, but they make paint for using on plastics if you want to do a really good job.

Not my photos, but this is from the guy who told me about them.

Here's a shot at the bottom.

[Woodsy]

How much feed can you fit in there Powerstroke, 50lb bag? It looks like a nice idea just wondering how often it would have to be refilled, I don't live where I hunt.

[Powerstroke]

We'll be putting them up this weekend so I can let you know on tuesday. We figured out the volume of the inside for a pretty good measurement. I don't know what that will equal in shelled corn, but I will find out soon.

[marine_man]

Thanks for the pics powerstroke!

marine_man

[tealitup]

Good idea PowerStroke. I also wondered how much corn can be placed in there. It looks like the bears would have a little trouble getting into it also (my problem for any other feeder I try).

[Woodsy]

Powerstroke, were you able to fill up your feeders and determine how much feed they would hold?

[tealitup]

I made a copy of that feeder and drove 4 hours to the hunting shack. I made mine 10 ft high - some advice:

1. Do not make it 10ft high! Unless you have help filling it.

It was able to take 90 pounds of corn/wild deer feed mix

2. Do not go when the tempature is 94 degrees

3. Do not forget bug spray

4. If you forget bug spray do not think 4 year old frozen, thawed, frozen and thawed spray will work.

For about the same price you can make a 55 gal. drum timed feeder. I have one of those too - some advice

1. Do not try to put it up during 94 degree temp

2. Bring bug spray

3. Dont forget the batteries yea, I had to make an extra trip to town 35 miles away.

I did get to cut some shooting lanes, drop off some salt blocks and plant some clover, rye and some wild flowers (for a pleasent view).

[Powerstroke]

We did not bring the feeders with us. DIdn't want to fart around with them in the heat this weekend. Hopefully they will be up before the end of June.